"Miku-sama, please slow down just a little bit," Luka puffed as she scurried after the princess. She bent over and clutched her side as Miku sighed irritably at her.
"Luka-san, we haven't even left the grounds yet! How can you be so tired already?" she scraped her shoes along the gravel driveway and clasped her hands behind her back.
"I must say… I am not used to such physical activity. And you are a very energetic young girl, princess." The maid wheezed and wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. When she realised her action, she bowed in apology to the princess.
"I'm sorry, that was very unladylike."
"It's okay, I don't mind." Miku reached out and grabbed Luka's hand.
"What are you doing, may I ask?"
"I'm trying to get you to hurry up. Otherwise we'll be stuck her forever." She tugged on the maids' hand and led her to the gates.
Once they were outside, the princess dropped Luka's hand and hitched up her skirts so she could roam around more freely without falling over the miles of material around her legs. She twirled and faced the slim frame of Luka.
"Okay first things first, let's go and get some food. I'm craving something other than snobby palace cuisine."
"Of course, Miku-sama," Luka bowed her head.
"Second thing – please drop the –Sama and call me Miku-Chan instead. And third-" Miku indicated with her fingers. "We go on a serious man hunt for the beautiful pink-haired lady who works far too much for a woman of her age." She winked at Luka and beckoned her to walk beside her.
"I doubt we'll find any man for me, Miku-chan. I don't feel very interested in such affairs." She confided, her voice appropriating a more friendly tone as she spoke.
"Ahh, you say that now Luka-san, but I assure you you'll change your mind when you meet 'The One'," Miku emphasised the words.
The two kept walking until they found themselves outside a small restaurant that served a variety of different foods.
"Oh, they serve Chinese food here, that's so cool. I've never eaten a Chinese dish before."
Luka chuckled at Miku, noting how she dropped the proper way of speaking now she was away from the castle. They entered the diner and seated themselves in the corner, next to a large window looking out onto the streets. Before someone came to serve them, the princess pointed out several men who had passed by to the dubious maid.
"What about him? Or him? He looks nice," she poked her finger on the glass at every man that passed by. She giggled when she noticed Luka's displeased expression. "I'm not being serious, Luka-chan. You shouldn't go picking up random people off the streets. It's weird."
A waitress with short blond hair walked over to the table and stood to take their order.
"Hi, what can I get you?" She asked in a sugary-sweet voice. She blinked and gasped in shock at the guests, before quickly curtsying to the two women. "Good evening, Princess Miku, it's wonderful to have you here."
Miku grinned at the dazed attendant and Luka read from the menu atop the table. The waitress scribbled down a few last words onto her small notepad and bowed her head again before heading back to the counter and taking the order sheet into the kitchen area.
When their meals arrived, Miku glanced over the food.
"It's so colourful!" she exclaimed loudly. Luka laughed at her.
"Yes, it is rather colourful, isn't it?" she agreed, prodding her chopsticks into the dish.
Whilst they were eating, Miku looked up and caught sight of a lanky man with blue hair standing behind the restaurant counter. His eyes seemed to be locked on Luka, who was busy staring out of the window, oblivious to the man's gaze. Miku opened her mouth to say something, but stopped herself realising that now possibly wasn't the best time. She waited until they had paid and left the building before jumping up and down and clapping her hands in excitement.
"Oh my! What's made you so enthusiastic?" The maid tried to calm the teen.
"That man in there, the one with the blue hair," Miku gave Luka a meaningful look. "…Was totally checking you out!" She squeaked joyfully and twirled around Luka.
"Don't be silly Miku-sama."
"I'm not! I saw it with my own two eyes; he was staring right at you!" The princess jabbed her finger into the taller woman's arm. She snickered at the colour creeping onto the maids' face. She struggled to speak without laughing in delight. "He was probably undressing you in his mind and everything!" Miku wheezed as Luka snapped her deadly glare onto her.
"M-Miku-sama! D-don't say such crude things!" She stuttered indignantly.
Miku doubled over, clutching her stomach as she cackled, eventually sinking to her knees in the middle of the walkway. She paused for breath and tried to stand, but she noticed Luka glaring down at her furiously and erupted into another fit of giggles. The maid looked around, embarrassed at the situation. Onlookers observed the scene questioningly as Miku struggled to balance on her feet, laughing like a maniac. It took several minutes for the princess to quieten down. Luka groaned at her and shook her head.
"Honestly, Miku-chan, what are we going to do with you?"
"Hmm? What do you mean by that, Luka-san?"
"You tell me, you silly girl."
Miku raised her eyebrows at her companion. She wrapped her arms around Luka's slim waist and pretended to cry.
"I'm sorry for being so silly and crude," she fake-wailed. "Please don't be upset with me!"
Luka sniggered at Miku's antics and patted her head. Before long, they had reached the castle gates, laughing as they entered. Preparations for the night were made, and Miku returned to her room, but not before turning to her maid and winking playfully.
"I think he likes you, Luka-chan."
